February 1942

Eastern Front

As heavy attacks pound Velizh and Demidov, the 9th Army launches a concerted counterattack, units from Olenino and Rzhev attacking and forcing apart the encircled 29th and 39th Armies. The bulk of the 29th Army is lost during the fighting, only 5,000 men escaping to the tenuous safety of the 39th Army. The Germans also attack the 39th Army, preventing it from lending any support to the hard pressed 29th. Soviet forces outside the pocket launch a new attack upon Rzhev but can not break through the firmly established German positions. There are also fierce battles around Vyazma.